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Author: keithsmj

An idea that is developed and put into action is more important than an idea that exists only as an idea. (Buddha)

In 2007 I started Sports Media Journal (SMJ). As our About Us page states, the idea was to create “a site where you’ll find out more about the people and organizations that manage and report sports.”

Even though the sports media beat was well-covered on a national and local level back then, I felt a need to delve deeper. My idea was to provide commentary and interview the people who make up this industry. I was able to do much of that over the last six-plus years, especially on the podcast we launched with Ken Fang of Fang’s Bites, Sports Media Weekly.

I began Sports Media Journal as a hobby, as do many others who create blogs. I knew that the success of the blog would be based on consistent, quality writing that is not found anywhere else. Even though I did have advertising on the site, the future of SMJ was never contingent on making a profit.

I have a full-time job outside of SMJ which is the focus of my weekdays. Spending time with my wife and daughter take-up the remaining hours of the week. I could not be happier when it comes to my personal and professional life. I am truly blessed.

In recent months it has been more difficult to post regularly on SMJ. My level of interest in sports media has waned. And as I creep closer to 50, I feel the need to simplify my life.

Therefore, as of January 1, 2014, Sports Media Journal will be no more. I will still own the domain and over the next few months the blog’s content will be migrated away from a hosted site to a free website service. I can still be reached at keith@sportsmediajournal.com.

I am eternally thankful to those of you who made SMJ a regular stop for news and information. It amazes me how many of you are as interested in sports media as me.

I have met some incredible people both inside and outside the sports media industry over the six-plus years I have owned SMJ. I have made many new friends.

Even though I leave the sports media beat, there are so many people doing great work. Among them:

For coverage on day to day news from the networks there is no one better than my Sports Media Weekly partnerKen Fang at Fang’s Bites;

Last week’s speculation is now official: Fox Sports has renewed its exclusive U.S. rights to the UEFA Champions and Europa Leagues.

The terms of the agreement call for Fox to continue to televise the matches exclusively through the 2017-2018 season. Fox has had the Champions League Rights since 2009 and the Europa League since 2012.

“We are elated to continue our partnership with UEFA and serve as home of its flagship properties through at least 2018,” said David Nathanson, General Manager and Chief Operating Officer of FOX Sports 1 and FOX Sports 2. “The combination of UEFA Champions and Europa leagues provides viewers with the complete club competition experience at the highest level. The fact that all the leading European teams and players continue to be seen on one destination speaks to FOX Sports’ commitment to showcase the world’s best. No other sports television franchise has an elite international soccer schedule that even comes close.”

We dream of warm weather to start the show, talking about the news that ESPN will add Curt Schilling to its Sunday Night Baseball broadcast booth. Schilling replaces Orel Hershiser, who will be joining the broadcast team for the Los Angeles Dodgers new regional sports network which will launch in 2014.

We end the news segment looking at the report by John Ourand at Sports Business Journal that Fox appears to be the front runner to retaining the rights to the UEFA Champions League matches here in the United States.

Our second guest this week is ESPN’s Joe Tessitore. Ken speaks with Joe about his upcoming new role as lead studio host for the SEC Network which will launch late next summer.

With the announcement that Orel Hershiser will be working on the Los Angeles Dodgers game telecasts, ESPN wasted no time today announcing who will take his place on the Sunday Night Baseball broadcast crew. Curt Schilling will fill Hershiser’s role beginning next season.

Schilling has served as a Baseball Tonight studio analyst since 2010, and has also provided analysis for select MLB game telecasts on ESPN. He will continue to make studio appearances for the network.

“I’m excited to join an already outstanding team,” said Schilling. “I would like to bring a perspective that will help fans get inside the head of the guy on the mound, and behind the plate, while also helping fans to better understand the work and preparation that goes into pitching in the big leagues.”

“Curt is one of the most unique announcers we have ever had on baseball, or any other sport, for that matter.” said Jed Drake, ESPN executive producer and senior vice-president, production. “He speaks his mind, and when he does, it is almost always fascinating, insightful and quite often, provocative. People will watch Sunday Night Baseball because of what Curt might say – that’s a rare gift. And, did I mention that he was a ferocious competitor, who has three World Series rings? Enough said.”